Victor Ramondetta, 69, of Northport, served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 in the Army 1st Infantry Division. "I went in as a kid and came out as a man," he said. "When I came home there was nothing for us. It took 45 years for this country to wake up and realize that veterans are worth more." Ramondetta enjoyed some laughs and food at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbeque at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

Police group gives veterans barbecue in Northport

August 25, 2012 7:25 PM

Victor Ramondetta, 69, of Northport, served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 in the Army 1st Infantry Division. "I went in as a kid and came out as a man," he said. "When I came home there was nothing for us. It took 45 years for this country to wake up and realize that veterans are worth more." Ramondetta enjoyed some laughs and food at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbeque at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012) (Credit: Brittany Wait)

Raymond Mohrman, 62, of Middle Island, served in the army between 1969 and 1971 in Europe working on atomic demolition preparing for a possible World War III. "My most exciting experience serving was learning to cross-country ski in the Alps as part of our training," he said. Mohrman joined his fellow veterans at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's southern-style barbecue at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

(Credit: Brittany Wait)

Peter Globuschutz, 61, of Huntington Station, served in the Army infantry division during the Vietnam War between 1970 and 1972. "One of the dates that come to mind was April 2, 1972. It was Easter morning and the north Vietnamese army was invading the south and we could see the tanks coming down, he said. "'It was the first time that I really thought there was a good chance I'm not going to go home." He and his wife, Alisa, 54, ate some food at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbecue at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

(Credit: Brittany Wait)

Ralph Multari, 65, of Coram, served in the army between 1967 and 1969, but was stationed in Vietnam for only the last year of his service. He is in rehabilitation for his legs at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center, but came out to the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbecue. "In the service, we had camaraderie and a bunch of brothers who stuck together through thick and thin," he said. (Aug. 25, 2012)

Ben Langstroth, 87, of West Islip, served in World War II between 1943 and 1945 in the army infantry fifth division. "It was all to defend out country, but also surviving combat," he said. "Wars aren't like in the movies. I was 20 years old and scared for my life." Langstroth and his wife, Carol, 68, ate some food at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbecue at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

(Credit: Brittany Wait)

Brenda Orejuela, 29, served in the Navy between 2001 and 2005 and then entered the reserves. "I remember helping out with Tsunami relief in 2005 in Sri Lanka," she said. "We helped rebuild schools and hospitals. All the branches coming together made me proud." Orejuela volunteered at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbecue for veterans and their families at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (August 25, 2012)

(Credit: Brittany Wait)

Peter Vannucci, 81, of Northport, served in the army during the Korean War between 1951 and 1953. "I was drafted like everybody else, but I was lucky enough to be able to entertain and organize shows for my troop," he said. "I did what I could to make the best of it." Vannucci grabbed some food at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbecue at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

(Credit: Brittany Wait)

Bob Glanzman, 63, of Islandia, served in the Navy between 1969 and 1973, but never entered the Vietnam War. "I remember that I had never been out of the country until I was stationed in Iceland, helping issue mechanical parts for aircraft. It was great," he said. Glanzman and members of the Greenlawn American Legion, enjoyed some laughs at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbecue at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

(Credit: Brittany Wait)

Frank Sacco, 36, of Patchogue, served in the Marines overseas between 1994 and 2002. "What makes me the most proud is that I served my country and for eight years I got to see Asia," he said. Sacco volunteers to grill at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's southern-style barbecue for veterans and their families at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

Kevin Reilly, 64, of Huntington, was drafted to serve in the Army infantry during the Vietnam War between 1968 and 1970. "This is a great country and I'd serve again," he said. Reilly stuck with his fellow Greenlawn American Legion members at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbeque for veterans and their families at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

Joe Franzosa, 65, of Medford, served in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968. "While I was there we built a playground for an orphanage with 100 kids," he said. "It made you realize you were actually there for a cause." Franzosa joined some friends for food at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbecue for veterans and their families at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

(Credit: Brittany Wait)

Kenn Machin, 55, of Central Islip, gave back to his fellow veterans through music at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbecue at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. Machin served in the Navy on a nuclear submarine from 1979 to 1985. "The whole experience was great," he said. "I used to fill vending machines, odds and end jobs like that, and being in the military gave me a better career path that's helped me out for the rest of my life." (Aug. 25, 2012)

(Credit: Brittany Wait)

Ken Bombace, 42, of Mount Sinai, served in the army between 1988 and 1990 in Germany and was deployed to Iraq in 2005. "I remember building a police department because we were in a dangerous city and wanted to help," he said. Bombace, president of the Suffolk County Police Veterans Association, made his rounds at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbecue at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

Chris Argento, of Huntington, served in the Army between 1965 and 1968, in Vietnam between 1966 and 1967. "Serving made me understand the true meaning of sacrifice, love of my country and love of freedom," he said. Argento ate with fellow Greenlawn American Legion members at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbeque at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)

(Credit: Brittany Wait)

Victor Ramondetta, 69, of Northport, served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 in the Army 1st Infantry Division. "I went in as a kid and came out as a man," he said. "When I came home there was nothing for us. It took 45 years for this country to wake up and realize that veterans are worth more." Ramondetta enjoyed some laughs and food at the Suffolk Police Veterans Association's Southern-style barbeque at the NorthportVeterans Affairs Medical Center. (Aug. 25, 2012)